'A great one' - Van Nistelrooy lauds Vardy after Leicester farewell

Vardy was celebrated prior to kick-off at the King Power Stadium and marked his 500th Leicester appearance in all competitions with a 28th-minute goal to give them the lead.

Among the 34 players to have scored 100-plus Premier League goals, only Dwight Yorke (98.4 per cent) has scored a greater proportion of his goals from inside the penalty area than Vardy (97.9 per cent - 142/145).

Kasey McAteer then scored his first Premier League goal to make sure of the points in the second half before Vardy was substituted off in the 80th minute to a guard of honour and standing ovation.

It was confirmed earlier this week that this would be Vardy's final game, instead of their trip to Bournemouth on the final day, and Van Nistelrooy praised his captain after his farewell.

"If you score your 200th goal on your 500th appearance, then you are a great one," he told Premier League Productions.

"He has been a unique player and person for this football club. In years to come, we will realise we were part of this moment.

"He's a character as well, there's a story and an edge to him. He's a great captain as well.

"We were motivated to do well for Jamie, but also to get more momentum after the Southampton win and the point against Nottingham Forest. It's some positives towards the end of the season."

On the pitch following the final whistle, Vardy addressed the Leicester fans for the final time.

"I've enjoyed every minute of this," he said. "I look forward to keeping an eye on the club I love. They are in my heart.

"From the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking myself and my family in as your own. I hope I've repaid you."

Ipswich have now lost 13 of their 18 Premier League games in 2025 (W1 D4), already as many defeats as they suffered across their 40 league matches in the whole of 2024 (W15 D12 L13).

Against Leicester, they had 20 shots, their most in a Premier League game this season. The only newly promoted team to record as many in an away game in the competition this term are Leicester in the reverse fixture at Portman Road (20).

Leif Davies struck the post early on and had a late goal disallowed for offside as they struggled to break down the Foxes, and Jack Taylor believes this match summed up Ipswich's season as a whole.

"I think we showed some good stuff on the ball, but like so many times this year, there have been moments that have gone against us," he said.

"It's a tough one to take, but it's more about looking to the future and getting back for pre-season now.

"We had so many chances. I think it was 20, the boss said. It's on us to take accountability for that, not taking our chances or making the right decisions at the final bit.